The MILCO Company of Bloomsburg, PA ordered a 12′ wide by 100′ long specialty machine from Germany to dye rolls of cloth. The heat recovery equipment and precipitators for this machine were to be installed on a steel frame box above the factory roof and be supported by the existing factory interior columns. The column capacity had to be increased from 20 kips to 160 kips. Spread footings could not be used due to poor soil conditions and encroachments of other equipment. On-going production could not be shut down. Helical piers were selected to support the increased column loads due to their ability to be installed in a very limited space without disruption to day to day production.
Project Summary:
- Helical Pile Type: 1.75″ Square Shaft
- # of Helical Piles: 24
- Location: Bloomsburg, PA
- Installation Depth: 12′ – 20′
- Challenge/Unique Aspect: increase column load capacity in a functioning factory around existing working equipment
- Engineer/Architect: A&G Group
- General Contractor: Trade Eastern Inc. (TEI) Architects, Engineers, and Builder
